Panthers Notebook: Can Carolina have consecutive winning seasons?

CHARLOTTE — A banner season in Panthers history ended on Sunday with a 23-10 setback to San Francisco, but next season, Carolina will look to answer a franchise-long quandary: Can the Panthers put together back-to-back winning and playoff seasons?

That’s something that has never happened since the franchise began in 1995 with playoff trips in ‘96, ‘03, ‘05 and ‘08 before this year.

To most, Carolina was a darkhorse at the start of the season to make the playoffs. The Panthers will have more of a target on their back when training camp rolls around in the summer.

“You were in the playoffs, you won the division, you had that success and then you lose at home and it stings,” said veteran offensive tackle Jordan Gross. “The difference this time around is that I don’t think this was the one shot this team had at winning in the playoffs. I think there is a really bright future for the Panthers and there are a lot of pieces in place to have long-lasting success.”

Carolina was playing its 11th overall playoff game in franchise history and its fourth playoff home game.

Carolina is now 6-5 in the playoffs and 2-2 at Bank of America Stadium in the postseason. In the divisional round, the Panthers stand at 3-2.

Sunday was Carolina’s first playoff game since 2008 season when Arizona trounced the Panthers, 33-13, in the divisional round in Charlotte.

San Francisco is 31-20 all-time in the playoffs and has now tied the Pittsburgh Steelers for most conference title game trips (15). Head coach Jim Harbaugh is now the first coach to take his team to the conference championship game in his first three seasons at the helm.

Smitty superlatives

Steve Smith’s ability to play on an injured left knee was a big topic of conversation heading into the game.

Smith, the Panthers’ all-time leading receiver, made his mark in the first half — hauling in four catches for 74 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown reception from Cam Newton that put Carolina up 7-6 early in the second quarter.

The catch was Smith’s eighth touchdown grab in nine career playoff games. The 12-year veteran is now the 16th player in NFL history with at least 10 postseason touchdowns as he also has one rushing and one punt return for a score.

After the hot first half, Smith was held without a catch the rest of the way. More importantly, the Panthers were held scoreless by the 49ers in the second half.

“When Steve had his opportunities, he made the most of them,” Newton said. “I just wish I could have got it to him more.”

Smith stated after the game that he will play again next season.

Did you see that?

Page 2 of 2 - San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick shook off one of his worst performances of his young career against the Panthers two months earlier, completing 15 of 28 passes for 196 yards with one passing touchdown and one rushing score.

After his four-yard rushing score midway through the third quarter, he drew the ire of some Carolina faithful when he celebrated with Newton’s “Superman” pose.

When asked about his quarterback counterpart’s celebration, Newton replied: “I did (see it). It’s not the first nor the last time somebody does that.”

Kaepernick stated: “Just a little shoutout.”

Big finish for Kuechly

Carolina Pro Bowl middle linebacker Luke Kuechly had a strong finish to his second season.

Kuechly finished with 10 tackles, including two for a loss, and had the Panthers’ only sack of Kaepernick on the afternoon.

Smith offered high praise for Kuechly after the game.

“I personally think Luke Kuechly has the potential to be the defensive player of the year,” he said. “He just reminds me of Brian (Urlacher) and Zach Thomas, one of those old school fundamental guys, and he’s outstanding.”

Division rivals to battle

San Francisco will now to travel to NFC West rival Seattle next Sunday with a berth in the Super Bowl at stake. Kick-off is at 6:30 p.m.

The Seahawks won 29-3 at home in Week 2, then claimed a 19-17 triumph in Week 14 at San Francisco. Seattle is in the NFC championship for the first time since 2005, when it defeated the Panthers (34-14) and went on to lose to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

“I think we were the two teams that everybody was looking at from the beginning,” Kaepernick said about the rematch. “It’s going to be a knockdown, drag-out game.”

Packed house at BofA

The final announced attendance on Sunday at Bank of America was 73,784 — a playoff record in Charlotte.